I've not that recently graduated from university, and am currently temping in a office of a different branch of a company I've temped for twice before in summer holidays. The position is not in the field I hope to make a long term career in.

My supervisors know I'm currently job seeking in the field I do want to get a job in, and they're fine with that. They've also stated that if the job seeking isn't producing decent results by the time my contract ends, we can possibly renegotiate another month or so of work.

End of background.

Ok, so I was socialising the other day with a few colleagues (we went to see a local am-dram performance), and one of my colleagues starting asking me about my plans for the future. When I reminded her I was only temping, she began repeatedly asking if I would stay with the company on a permanent basis if it was possible. I bean dipped to escape the question, because the answer is no!

I have nothing at all against the field I'm currently temping in, but it's not for me on a long term scale, and I'm also under qualified for anything more than office work, so I wouldn't have any chance of promotion. How do I politely inform colleagues that I intend to jump ship to a different type of industry altogether the moment the opportunity presents itself?

I'm in a similar position at the moment. I've been working part time in an office for almost a year now, while trying to get into museum work by job-seeking and bulking up my CV with volunteering/training days.

I know my boss would like me to go full time and stay with the company, but, obviously, I don't want to lose what precious time I have each week to pursue the career I really want. I have explained this to him, and he's fine with it. It's a small company, so me being there only 3 days a week isn't so much different than 5.

With my coworkers, I work hard, but I tend to tell them things about the volunteer work I'm doing, the training days I've been on, the jobs I'm applying for. I make sure all of this happens on my non-working days, so they can't get upset about that, but it seems to help them remember that this job, while being brilliant for the moment, isn't my endgame.

Is it possible you could tell your coworkers directly that while you're doing this for now, what you really want to do is <insert profession here>? How did you explain it to your supervisors?

Is it possible you could tell your coworkers directly that while you're doing this for now, what you really want to do is <insert profession here>? How did you explain it to your supervisors?

My CV makes it pretty obvious what field I'm aiming for, as it (while still appropriate for the temp job I was applying for at the time!) has all my history and work experience in the field I'm trying to get into (media production). It got brought up at my interview, and I asked about being able to get time off if an interview came up in work hours. I've been very open with my intentions.

I don't see any need to beandip with co-workers if you're upfront with management.

"Oh, CW, as much as I love working with you, this isn't really my area of expertise. As much as I'd love to work with you in the future, right now I feel it's best that I look within my field of study for a career rather than stay here as a job."

There's a huge difference between career and job. What you have is a job, and while you may like it and the people you work with, you're looking for a career. It's a calling.

"While I enjoy the company and the work I'm currently doing, I don't think my career goals align with the company's needs. I want to work in X field and there is limited opportunities to explore that field at our company."

I would not make any comments about the career you want with your current employer and co-workers. Too many times, I have seen people get burned by a seemingly nice co-worker who made their life at work terrible. I would use the "we'll see what happens" line from z_squared, as it leaves plenty of room for changes in your plans.

Logged

ďAll that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost."-J.R.R Tolkien

Don't burn bridges, don't offend ppl by implying you're better than this job. You might be, and the smart ones will have figured that out already. Be vague, it's really none of their business, anyway.

I agree with this for several reasons. One of the main ones is that you really never do want to burn a bridge. You may be with that company longer than you plan to. Not forever. But there are a lot of people out there looking for work. And not enough jobs to go around. So be open to keeping the job until the right thing does come along.

You also don't want to create ill will. What you're doing right now is networking. Yes, in an industry that you're not planning to stay in. But you never know when one of those people may be in your industry at a later date (or know someone who is and have some input that gets you that job).

I'm surprised you're getting grief about this with those people. What you're doing - temping until your chosen career comes around - is so common. Especially after college. It's a way of getting something substantial on the resume and getting some solid working experience behind you while still having the option to quit more easily than in a permanent position. This isn't at all unusual.

Is it possible you could tell your coworkers directly that while you're doing this for now, what you really want to do is <insert profession here>? How did you explain it to your supervisors?

My CV makes it pretty obvious what field I'm aiming for, as it (while still appropriate for the temp job I was applying for at the time!) has all my history and work experience in the field I'm trying to get into (media production). It got brought up at my interview, and I asked about being able to get time off if an interview came up in work hours. I've been very open with my intentions.

I'm still looking for a position as a widget designer. I'm not sure how long I'll be here but I will miss everyone when its time for me to move on.